Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

"At last a research and evaluation ′how to text′ that speaks to the epistemological and practical questions of how to use this tool to improve conditions for society′s marginalized groups."--Ricardo Millett, President and CEO, Woods Fund

This new edition of Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychologycontinues and expands upon the approach that made the First Editionan international bestseller. Author Donna Mertens explains quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, and incorporates the viewpoints of various research paradigms (postpositivist, constructivist, transformative, and pragmatic) into descriptions of these methods. Special emphasis is provided for conducting research in culturally complex communities, based on the perspectives of feminists, ethnic/racial minorities, and people with disabilities. Each chapter carefully explains a step of the research process from literature review to analysis and reporting. Additionally, sample studies and abstracts are included in each chapter to illustrate the concepts discussed in that section of the book.

Now in its Second Edition, Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology: Integrating Diversity with Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methodsis perfect as a core text for research courses in departments of education, psychology, and sociology, as well as social work and other human services disciplines. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other texts focusing on specific methodologies.

New to the Second Edition

* Analysis of methodological advances in conducting research in culturally complex communities* Coverage of electronic resources now available to researchers and evaluators* Additional emphasis on program evaluation* New chapter on mixed methods research

Key Features

* Chapters begin with an outline of the main ideas covered* Summaries of specific research studies provide context for discussion throughout* Step-by-step processes assist those conducting research and evaluations* Perspectives and controversies from major research paradigms bring theories to life* Questions for critical analysis in each chapter help students plan their own research* Chapters end with questions and activities for students to put knowledge into practice* Appendix includes an outline for the preparation of a research proposal, ideal for those working on a thesis or dissertation

Praise for the First Edition"This informative volume is something of a page-turner. It is an insightful way of looking at research, and viewing its outcomes should force researchers to reflect on their assumptions about reality and their research methodology. This book should be read by everyone doing serious social research that affects people′s lives."--J.F. Biter , St. Bonaventure University

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• A Eulogy to Diversity
• An Introduction to Research
• Why Bother?
• What Is Research?
• Research Terminology
• Approach Taken in This Book
• Major Paradigms in Research: A Brief History of Research
• The Politics of Acceptance: The Objectivity Debate
• Politics, Legislation and the Paradigms
• Ethics in Research
• Merging Paradigms
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Evaluation
• Defining Evaluation
• History and Current Models of Evaluation
• Steps in Conducting Evaluations
• Standards for Critically Evaluating Evaluations
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Evaluation Studies
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Literature Review and Research Problems
• Major Reasons for Doing Literature Reviews
• The Search Process
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Literature Reviews
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research
• Single-Group, Experimental, and Quasi-Experimental Designs
• Research Designs
• Challenges to Using Experimental Designs in Educational and Psychological Research
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Single-Group, Experimental, and Quasi-Experimental Designs
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Causal Comparative and Correlational Research
• Types of Variables
• Causal Comparative Research
• Correlational Research
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Causal Comparative and Correlational Research
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Survey Research
• Design Phase
• Data Collection Choices
• Feminist Perspectives
• Disability Perspectives
• Sampling Plan
• Designing the Questionnaire
• Formatting the Questionnaire
• Pilot Test the Questionnaire
• Language Differences Between the Researcher and the Respondent
• Special Types of Questions
• Letter of Transmittal
• Conducting the Survey
• Response Rate Considerations
• Notes Specific to Phone Interviews
• Notes Specific to Personal Interviews
• Transformative Perspectives on Interviewing
• Notes Specific to Web Based Surveys
• Data Analysis With Survey Research
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Survey Research
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Single-Case Research
• Quality Issues With Single-Case Research
• Design Options
• Data Analysis in Single-Case Research
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Single-Case Research
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Qualitative Methods
• Basis for Selection of Qualitative Methods
• Strategies for Qualitative Research
• General Methodological Guidelines
• Critically Analyzing Qualitative Research
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Qualitative Research
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• History and Narrative Study of Lives
• Importance of Historical and Narrative Research
• Types of Historical and Narrative Research
• Steps in Conducting Historical-Narrative Research
• Special Notes on Biographical Research
• Special Notes on Autobiographical/Self-Study Research
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Historical-Narrative Research
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Mixed methods and mixed model designs
• Definition and characteristics
• Importance in educational and psychological research
• Philosophical assumptions: Pragmatism, mixing paradigms, and transformation
• Mixed methods/models design options
• Critically analyzing mixed methods research
• Questions and activities for discussion and application
• Sampling: Definition, Selection, and Ethics
• Sampling Strategies: Alternative Paradigms
• External Validity (Generalizability) or Transferability
• Defining the Population and Sample
• Identification of Sample Members
• Sampling Strategies
• Sampling Bias
• Access Issues
• Access to Records
• Sample Size
• Ethics and Protection of Study Participants
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Sampling Strategies
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Data Collection
• Operationalizing Concepts
• Standards for Judging Quality of Data Collection
• Quantitative Measurement Topics
• Selection and Development of Quantitative Instruments
• Developing a Data Collection Instrument
• Qualitative Data Collection Methods
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Data Collection
• Activities and Questions for Discussion and Application
• Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting
• Quantitative Analysis Strategies
• Special Application: Statistical Synthesis as Literature Review
• Qualitative Analytic Strategies
• A Research Plan: The Management Plan and Budget
• Writing Research Reports
• Utilization of the Research Results
• Questions for Critically Analyzing Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Questions and Activities for Discussion and Application
• Appendix: Writing the Research Proposal
• Getting the Research Idea
• Research Abstract
• Formal Research Proposal
• Proposal Considerations
• Recommended Proposal Document Format Sequencing Layout of Proposal
• References
• Author Index
• Subject Index
• About the Author

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Donna M. Mertens is Professor Emeritus, Department of Education, at Gallaudet University. She taught research methods and program evaluation to deaf and hearing students at the MA and PhD levels for over 30 years. She now teaches courses and professional development workshops around the world.

She conducts research and evaluation studies on such topics as improvement of special education services in international settings, planning for the inclusion of students with disabilities in neighborhood schools, enhancing the educational experiences of students with disabilities, preventing sexual abuse in residential schools for deaf students, improving access to the court systems for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and improving the preparation of teachers of the deaf through appropriate use of instructional technology. Her research focuses on improving methods of inquiry by integrating the perspectives of those who have experienced oppression in our society. She draws on the writings of feminists, racial and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities, as well as Indigenous peoples who have addressed the issues of power and oppression and their implications for research methodology.

Dr. Mertens has made numerous presentations at the meetings of the American Educational Research Association, American Evaluation Association, Australasian Evaluation Society, Association for College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, International Sociological Association, Mixed Methods International Research Association, American Psychological Association, African Evaluation Association, Canadian Evaluation Society, Visitors Studies Association, and other organizations that explore these themes. She served as president and board member of the American Evaluation Association from 1997 to 2002 and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation, 2002-2003. She served as editor for the Journal of Mixed Methods Research 2009-2014.

Her publications include four edited volumes, Indigenous Pathways to Social Research (coedited with Fiona Cram and Bagele Chilisa, 2013), Handbook of Social Research Ethics (coedited with Pauline Ginsberg, 2009), Creative Ideas for Teaching Evaluation (1989), and Research and Inequality (coedited with Carole Truman and Beth Humphries, 2000), and several authored books, including Mixed Methods Design in Evaluation (2018), Program Evaluation: A Comprehensive Guide (2nded.) (with Amy Wilson, 2018), Transformative Research and Evaluation (2009), Research and Evaluation Methods in Special Education (coauthored with John McLaughlin, 2004), and Parents and Their Deaf Children (coauthored with Kay Meadow-Orlans and Marilyn Sass Lehrer, 2003). She also publishes many chapters and articles in edited volumes, encyclopedias, handbooks, and journals, such as Journal of Mixed Methods Research, Qualitative Social Work, Eye on Psi Chi, Educational Researcher, International Journal of Mixed Methods Research, New Directions for Program Evaluation, American Journal of Evaluation, American Annals of the Deaf , Studies in Educational Evaluation , and Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis .